intro to DMX

[mrrawuk]

Seems i can't get away without going DMX if i want to be able to have some nice lighting and be able to contol them.

I use a MAC latop and will initially only be using 2-4 lights. (uplighter and 2x Equinox Ultra's ).

What would be good for a small rig and maybe a usb type of device controlled by software? (mac).

[Benny Smyth]

Here's what I use (https://www.djkit.com/american-dj/american-dj-mydmx-20-mydmx-mac.html?gclid=CKaBsJWrs8oCFQqdGwodn6MEuA), and it's worth every penny. :approve:

[mrrawuk]

Here's what I use (https://www.djkit.com/american-dj/american-dj-mydmx-20-mydmx-mac.html?gclid=CKaBsJWrs8oCFQqdGwodn6MEuA), and it's worth every penny. :approve:

Benny you are far to informative lol. :) Not a bad price.

[Nakatomi]

I use QLC+ (free) (www.qlcplus.org (http://www.qlcplus.org)) with a £10 USB to DMX converter I put in a box with rugged Neutrik connectors. Total cost about £25 (with wireless DMX adapter built in too) and a couple of hours of my time.

QLC+ doesn't look as pretty as MyDMX, but it does the same and more.
17660

[mrrawuk]

I use QLC+ (free) (www.qlcplus.org (http://www.qlcplus.org)) with a £10 USB to DMX converter I put in a box with rugged Neutrik connectors. Total cost about £25 (with wireless DMX adapter built in too) and a couple of hours of my time.

QLC+ doesn't look as pretty as MyDMX, but it does the same and more.
17660

Is that usb to midi something you made mate? I can't solder naff all so any pcb stuff is a no no for me.

[ukpartydj]

Software: Freestyler (http://www.freestylerdmx.be/) (£0)
Hardware: USB to DMX cable (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/141672520918?adgroupid=13585920426&hlpht=true&hlpv=2&rlsatarget=aud-133395220626%3Apla-131843281026&adtype=pla&ff3=1&lpid=122&poi=&ul_noapp=true&limghlpsr=true&ff19=0&googleloc=9045718&device=c&chn=ps&campaignid=207297426&crdt=0&ff12=67&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff14=122&viphx=1&ops=true&ff13=80) (£13)

The hardware is a generic unbranded thingy "uDMX" is what it comes up as when you plug it in.
It works great with windows 7 but it needs a bit of technical know how to install it for windows 10.

I made a not so good looking adapter (http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?40652-My-Poor-mans-MyDMX-controller) a couple of years ago but I plugged into a dodgy power supply which killed it and blew 2 of my lights fuses. I've now got the £13 cables (2 of them) along with lots of spare fuses incase such a thing happens again!

Never used other software extensively but my understanding is myDMX and Chauvet Express are easier and more user friendly?

[Nakatomi]

Is that usb to midi something you made mate? I can't solder naff all so any pcb stuff is a no no for me.

Just took the USB to DMX adapter & put it in a box with connectors really. No major soldering involved.

Adding the wireless came later. Four wires tagged on & some minor drilling.

[Excalibur]

Here's what I use (https://www.djkit.com/american-dj/american-dj-mydmx-20-mydmx-mac.html?gclid=CKaBsJWrs8oCFQqdGwodn6MEuA), and it's worth every penny. :approve:

Here's what I use, (http://www.thomann.de/gb/stairville_ddc6_dmx_controller.htm) and it's worth every penny. :approve:

Tee hee. :) Certain types of fixtures respond well to basic controllers. The one I linked to is perfectly capable of making my Cheetahs ( and other moonflowers ) behave. A more complex one would add very little. As posted earlier, you can make it as complicated or as simple as you like.

One of these (https://www.decks.co.uk/products/lighting-controllers/ledj/s1?gclid=CjwKEAiAt_K0BRCzjtv92_HGoR0SJAA9QNn_0s679 x8KLDQqTD4kKjuJmxoZhBww5kySlFY_CrOijxoCijXw_wcB#.V p0al_mLQok) is capable of making simple parcans come to life.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

If you want something similar, but less fussy and complicated than DMX, then watch the vids on YouTube for the ADJ Wifly NE1. (http://www.adj.com/wifly-ne1)

I have used both and the NE1 is easy to use and you can learn very quickly with it.

[yourdj]

If you want something similar, but less fussy and complicated than DMX, then watch the vids on YouTube for the ADJ Wifly NE1. (http://www.adj.com/wifly-ne1)

I have used both and the NE1 is easy to use and you can learn very quickly with it.

That looks good Darren, a reasonable replacement for the GWDMX. :)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

That looks good Darren, a reasonable replacement for the GWDMX. :)

A bit more expensive, but very user friendly.

[Excalibur]

If you want something similar, but less fussy and complicated than DMX, then watch the vids on YouTube for the ADJ Wifly NE1. (http://www.adj.com/wifly-ne1)

I have used both and the NE1 is easy to use and you can learn very quickly with it.

Darren, I presume you missed out the " MY " before DMX, and are comparing the Wifly with that, not the basic one I linked to.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Darren, I presume you missed out the " MY " before DMX, and are comparing the Wifly with that, not the basic one I linked to.

Nope, I'm comparing to a generic DMX controller that can be had for around £50-£60.

[yourdj]

A bit more expensive, but very user friendly.

Not got the time to look at it, but as you know the unit. could I:

1: Take any fixture (not just ADJ) and programme it in to set chases fired by each button. So it will range from static colours (1-4), slow chases (4-6) & party chases with varying degrees of intensity (6-10).

2: Will it work with generic wireless receivers?

I have been seriously thinking about developing my Toby DMX idea, but it will be a lot of work and this looks like it would be a good purchase for what is a pretty low cost (in my opinion) assuming it can do the above. I have pretty much 90% ADJ fixtures also, only the uplighting and laser are different makes.

This would be my ultimate DMX controller, so if it can do that then awesome!

17665

[ukpartydj]

Not got the time to look at it, but as you know the unit. could I:

1: Take any fixture (not just ADJ) and programme it in to set chases fired by each button. So it will range from static colours (1-4), slow chases (4-6) & party chases with varying degrees of intensity (6-10).

2: Will it work with generic wireless receivers?

I have been seriously thinking about developing my Toby DMX idea, but it will be a lot of work and this looks like it would be a good purchase for what is a pretty low cost (in my opinion) assuming it can do the above. I have pretty much 90% ADJ fixtures also, only the uplighting and laser are different makes.

This would be my ultimate DMX controller, so if it can do that then awesome!


looks naff compared to my new controller :P
Wireless, accelerometers ... was only like £40! So far I've programmed things like ... static colours, 3 strobe types, UV and blinder... need to get around to chases and the moving heads one day:

17666

[Excalibur]

Nope, I'm comparing to a generic DMX controller that can be had for around £50-£60.

Ah. In that case, I apologise. My mistake. :o

[yourdj]

looks naff compared to my new controller :P
Wireless, accelerometers ... was only like £40! So far I've programmed things like ... static colours, 3 strobe types, UV and blinder... need to get around to chases and the moving heads one day:

17666

That does look cool!! Awesome for some interactive nightclub Djing, especially with a live screen.
Not seen this before, although its possibly a good reference as to where DJing is going next.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrmqtmbtR74

[Shaun]

If you want something similar, but less fussy and complicated than DMX, then watch the vids on YouTube for the ADJ Wifly NE1. (http://www.adj.com/wifly-ne1)

I have used both and the NE1 is easy to use and you can learn very quickly with it.

+1 for the NE1. Great little controller.

[Imagine]

Software: Freestyler (http://www.freestylerdmx.be/) (£0)
Hardware: USB to DMX cable (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/141672520918?adgroupid=13585920426&hlpht=true&hlpv=2&rlsatarget=aud-133395220626%3Apla-131843281026&adtype=pla&ff3=1&lpid=122&poi=&ul_noapp=true&limghlpsr=true&ff19=0&googleloc=9045718&device=c&chn=ps&campaignid=207297426&crdt=0&ff12=67&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff14=122&viphx=1&ops=true&ff13=80) (£13)

The hardware is a generic unbranded thingy "uDMX" is what it comes up as when you plug it in.
It works great with windows 7 but it needs a bit of technical know how to install it for windows 10.


I've just got into DMX myself over the past couple of weeks - and don't think there's going to be any going back now I'm getting to grips with it (something just "clicked" the other night)

As for the uDMX drivers on anything later than W7 - I can't get them to work without a lot of messing around each and every time I start up the laptop. I'm actually looking at utilizing an old Acer tablet which runs XP just for the light show stuff to be honest.

[mrrawuk]

Well i finally have all the dj gear i needed to go mobile so thanks to all who advised and suggested items.

I will add DMX to it in the next two weeks and i am probably going to go with mydmx and the £10 usb item and free software.

It will be controlling 2 equinox LED 1m bars and a Gigabar for now.

[ukpartydj]

Well i finally have all the dj gear i needed to go mobile so thanks to all who advised and suggested items.

I will add DMX to it in the next two weeks and i am probably going to go with mydmx and the £10 usb item and free software.

It will be controlling 2 equinox LED 1m bars and a Gigabar for now.

I'm not certain but I thought that mydmx needed the proper mydmx box to work?
Freestyler will most likely work with a cheap £10 dongle which is what I'm running.

[mrrawuk]

I'm not certain but I thought that mydmx needed the proper mydmx box to work?
Freestyler will most likely work with a cheap £10 dongle which is what I'm running.

Apologies i was referring to :My DMX Buddy
http://www.sessionmusic.co.uk/product.aspx?productid=12115&gclid=Cj0KEQiAoby1BRDA-fPXtITt3f0BEiQAPCkqQfuYxHujcaypS9bToUgDCsNzIscYgaI KxKmo62JOIw0aAiYj8P8HAQ

I looked at the £10 dongle but too many stories of a massive manual to get it doing anything. I was simple effects and didn't want to spend too much or spend hours programming it :)

The MagicDMX Basic for £10 is also on my radar but that's the one where many say the manual is HUGE!

[Benny Smyth]

Apologies i was referring to :My DMX Buddy
http://www.sessionmusic.co.uk/product.aspx?productid=12115&gclid=Cj0KEQiAoby1BRDA-fPXtITt3f0BEiQAPCkqQfuYxHujcaypS9bToUgDCsNzIscYgaI KxKmo62JOIw0aAiYj8P8HAQ

I looked at the £10 dongle but too many stories of a massive manual to get it doing anything. I was simple effects and didn't want to spend too much or spend hours programming it :)

The MagicDMX Basic for £10 is also on my radar but that's the one where many say the manual is HUGE!

If you go with MYDMX Buddy, I would suggest that you go straight to the MYDMX 2.0. Eventually, you will hit the limitations on the buddy (it is just a stripped back version of 2.0) and you'll kick yourself for it.

[Nakatomi]

If you go with MYDMX Buddy, I would suggest that you go straight to the MYDMX 2.0. Eventually, you will hit the limitations on the buddy (it is just a stripped back version of 2.0) and you'll kick yourself for it.

I learned something new this week though.. (woohoo!) - the Buddy can apparently store scenes & you can cycle between them using a button on it. Squirt a program down the cable onto it, give it power via its USB lead & you don't even need a computer. Allegedly. Nice idea, that.

[mrrawuk]

I learned something new this week though.. (woohoo!) - the Buddy can apparently store scenes & you can cycle between them using a button on it. Squirt a program down the cable onto it, give it power via its USB lead & you don't even need a computer. Allegedly. Nice idea, that.

Thats why i was thinking it was worth the £55. I saw it on a facebook post and thought it was very handy for the money,

[ukpartydj]

Apologies i was referring to :My DMX Buddy
http://www.sessionmusic.co.uk/product.aspx?productid=12115&gclid=Cj0KEQiAoby1BRDA-fPXtITt3f0BEiQAPCkqQfuYxHujcaypS9bToUgDCsNzIscYgaI KxKmo62JOIw0aAiYj8P8HAQ

I looked at the £10 dongle but too many stories of a massive manual to get it doing anything. I was simple effects and didn't want to spend too much or spend hours programming it :)

The MagicDMX Basic for £10 is also on my radar but that's the one where many say the manual is HUGE!

I think the hours of programming may be a little essential for a good show. You can certainly get away with basic bits quite quickly though.

I cannot comment on MagicDMX but it's not difficult to get started with freestyler. I learnt using freestyler and I downloaded MyDMX and was shocked to realise despite looking completely different nearly everything is the same. Both use the same third party visualiser (magic easy view 3d), the library of fixtures same (scan library) as I found out when I thought "ah MyDMX will have the fixture settings for my new ADJ product" ... no ... no they don't. It's an identical library to freestyler and I had to create my own fixture. I do prefer the look of the scene builder, does the same thing with the same pretty much everything but looks nicer and unfortunately with freestyler you need to click left and right to navigate steps in a scene but mydmx have a list which is a good improvement.

On the other hand (without testing out fully) it seems like mydmx lacks features like override buttons which are very handy and can only play one scene at a time?? I'm unsure if it's easier to use or not as they are very similar but laid out very differently. Freestyler does seem on the surface to be a more advanced program though.

ADJ must be doing something right though as many are still happy to pay £150 for a box that does the same job as my £15 dongle :P ... stir, stir, stir the pot!

[mrrawuk]

I think the hours of programming may be a little essential for a good show. You can certainly get away with basic bits quite quickly though.

I cannot comment on MagicDMX but it's not difficult to get started with freestyler. I learnt using freestyler and I downloaded MyDMX and was shocked to realise despite looking completely different nearly everything is the same. Both use the same third party visualiser (magic easy view 3d), the library of fixtures same (scan library) as I found out when I thought "ah MyDMX will have the fixture settings for my new ADJ product" ... no ... no they don't. It's an identical library to freestyler and I had to create my own fixture. I do prefer the look of the scene builder, does the same thing with the same pretty much everything but looks nicer and unfortunately with freestyler you need to click left and right to navigate steps in a scene but mydmx have a list which is a good improvement.

On the other hand (without testing out fully) it seems like mydmx lacks features like override buttons which are very handy and can only play one scene at a time?? I'm unsure if it's easier to use or not as they are very similar but laid out very differently. Freestyler does seem on the surface to be a more advanced program though.

ADJ must be doing something right though as many are still happy to pay £150 for a box that does the same job as my £15 dongle :P ... stir, stir, stir the pot!

That £15 dongle does not work on Mac, neither does the software sadly.

[mrrawuk]

Well i did buy both the Chamsys £10 dongle and my dmx2.0. Chamsys will be a long learn project over the summer. I simply did not like my dmx2.0.
Seemed too long winded so i've gone for the simple but pricey option. Wifly NE1 .

Cheers to all who helped.

Bought all this gear and loads of club work comes in. Typical ! :)